An Interview with Rachel Roscoe

I am 47 years old, a homemaker originally from Northumberland but now living in Plymouth with my husband, Ross, and our three children.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I am a big Agatha Christie fan and always wanted to try my hand at writing a cosy murder mystery, but I wanted to have some kind of twist on the traditional amateur sleuth, so I came up with my protagonist, Tommy Dalton.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The book is called Tequila Sunrise because a bottle of tequila plays an integral part in the story, and I liked the idea of naming all the books in the Tommy Dalton series after song titles. I thought it would be fitting as he is an ex-rock star.

Describe your dream book cover.

My ideal book cover would be simple, perhaps the silhouette of an expensive tequila bottle on a side table, next to which an electric guitar leans against the wall.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Probably a lot of eighties rock – Guns and Roses, and similar bands of the time, as that was the type of music Tommy and his band made.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I read constantly. At the moment, I am rereading Gone With The Wind for the hundredth time.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have done many jobs, my favourite of which was bookseller. I loved being surrounded by all the books.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have always written from as far back as I can remember. As a child, I would write ghost stories. My parents always encouraged me to write. I am influenced by everything I read and watch; I think we all are. As a writer, you can’t help but be influenced by everything around you. You seek to emulate the writing and stories you love and seek to avoid the aspects you don’t like in other people’s work.

Where is your favorite place to write?

At the moment, I just write anywhere I can, anytime I get some quiet time. However, I hope one day to be able to answer this question by saying my favourite place to write is in my own study, surrounded by my favourite books.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Put yourself out there! I was always too scared to put my work out there. I’m fast approaching fifty and I’m only just approaching agents and the like. I wish I had started trying to become published when I was a great deal younger.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I just hope that my readers will be entertained by a good story, strong characters, and a decent dose of murder mystery.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.